Inspiring Videos Highlight Impact of Study Abroad

This past fall, we asked students to tell a compelling story through video about how they became “student diplomats” while studying abroad, by making a difference in the lives of others, connecting in a meaningful way with people and cultures in other countries, and building long-lasting friendships and mutual understanding. The votes are in and we have a winner!

Meet our 2011 Student Diplomat: Benjamin Hershey

Ohio State University student Benjamin Hershey won the 2011 Student Diplomat Video Contest, which includes a $1,000 travel voucher courtesy of STA Travel, a NAFSA Global Partner, by telling his story of learning and personal growth during a study abroad experience in Germany.

Hershey traveled to Germany this past summer as part of a city planning exchange program. His studies were anchored in Dresden, a modern example of exemplary city planning since its recovery from complete destruction during World War II. Teaming up with students from Dresden Technical University, Hershey studied a proposed development along the city’s dilapidated riverfront. His team’s findings included a proposal for flood prevention techniques and were featured in a local Dresden newspaper.

Hershey says that while his purpose in Dresden was to learn about city planning and adaptation to climate change, he also learned a lot about himself and German culture and made long-lasting friendships. “I learned what it means to be a diplomat, and that is something that I’ll never forget. In the future, I know I can use my experience abroad to further myself in my career and in my studies. The world is what you make of it. Never stop exploring,” he says in his video. Hershey will graduate from Ohio State University in June 2012 with a degree in city planning and plans to travel for a year to discover other foreign cities and learn more about his field before attending graduate school.

2011 Student Diplomat Runner-up: Mark Dissen

George Washington University student Mark Dissen studied in Hong Kong this fall as part of the Hong Kong Syracuse Program at City University. He volunteered in his new community by helping local college and elementary-age students practice English. Dissen says in his video:

“I want to encourage every student who studies abroad to volunteer in the community in some way that allows them to meet locals and delve into their lives. It really is one of the best ways to maximize your experience abroad and become a real student ambassador.”

Dissen plans to graduate from George Washington University in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in accountancy. As the runner-up, Mark will receive a hand-held flip camera from NAFSA and Connecting Our World.

The Other 2011 Finalists

Sharon Seegers, a University of California-San Diego student who studied in Vietnam

Tawny Saez, a student at the University of New Hampshire who studied in Brazil

Lauren Bergeron, a student at Plymouth State University who studied in Costa Rica

About the Contest

The 2011 Student Diplomat Video Contest was open to undergraduate students who studied abroad during the fall semester or had recently returned from a study abroad experience. Throughout the fall, students from across the country showed us through their creative videos how their experiences while studying abroad shaped them as “student diplomats.” After an expert judging panel narrowed down the entries to five finalists in November, we asked the public to vote. More than 1,000 votes were cast and were combined with the votes from the panel of judges to determine the 2011 Student Diplomat. Read the full rules and requirements.

Made Possible By…

Connecting Our World (powered by NAFSA: Association of International Educators), in partnership with STA Travel, are hosting the 2011 Student Diplomat Video Contest. Sign-up for Connecting Our World alerts to be the first to know about future contests.